March 2016: Mohachi Paper

From Japan: Keiji Oki of Mohachi Paper in Fukui Prefecture

Translated by Yuki Katayama

Keiji and wife in their studio.

Keiji Oki is the third generation Mohachi papermaker. Mohachi is an extra heavy weight yet soft paper. It is sized internally, making the papers suitable for printmaking, painting and ink-jet printing.

Can you tell us a little about the history of Mohachi paper?

From the Edo period, the Oki mill originally made only Hosho papers. It was only from early Showa period that first generation Mohachi Oki became interested in making a Japanese watercolor paper for western painting. The beginning of WWII prompted the development of a thick Japanese paper, since the supply at the time was all western papers that could not be imported during the war. This type of paper was invented with guidance from Mr. Hakutei Ishii (painter and print artist, one of the fathers of the sosaku hanga (creative print) movement) It was named "MO" paper, from the first two letters of Mr. Mohachi Oki.

Post-war, once the production of MO Mohachi paper normalized, the production of larger sized papers and printmaking papers began. These papers were not for mokuhanga, but for methods such as lithography, etching and silkscreen.

Keiji making Mohachi 31.5" x 47" 500g

Any new papers that you'd like to try making?

I'd like to try making papers using the same materials as the Mohachi paper, but cater to new needs of artists or printmakers. That is how the largest size 31" x 47" Mohachi paper was developed, because there was a higher demand for larger paper for artists to use.

What is your view on the future of washi?

I'd like to focus on promoting the large variety of papers that Echizen has and showing the world what Echizen Washi has to offer. Also, I am still in the process of thinking of ways to keep Mohachi papers relevant and increase demand.

Any hobbies outside of papermaking?

I like to climb mountains and run marathons in my free time. My current goal is to climb as many mountains as I can in the "100 Famous Japanese Mountains" list.

(This article was published in 2016, in 2017, Oki-san sadly passed away from a long battle with cancer. We will never forget his beautiful papers and his wonderful stories.)